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FG Gives MDAs September 18 Deadline for 2027 Budget

The Federal Government has directed ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to submit their personnel cost proposals for the 2027 fiscal year by September 18, 2026, as part of efforts to advance the budget cycle.

The directive was contained in a Budget Office circular signed by Director-General Tanimu Yakubu. It noted that the draft 2027–2029 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper had been concluded in July to enable early submission of the budget to the National Assembly.

Nigeria’s budgets have faced persistent implementation challenges since 2024, with overlapping fiscal cycles. Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said harmonising assumptions on oil prices, exchange rates, inflation and revenues should reduce discrepancies between expectations and outcomes.

The circular introduced stricter requirements, compelling MDAs to submit their Establishment Acts alongside proposals, following the scandal over fake agencies in the 2026 budget. The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission uncovered fraudulent entities, prompting President Bola Tinubu to order arrests and suspensions of implicated officials.

Amnesty International described the scandal as evidence of weak governance institutions. Country Director Isa Sanusi said: “The incident of the fake government agency is an indictment of the Nigerian government…an indication of how weak government institutions are.”

The Budget Office also barred MDAs from including consultants, contract staff, corps members or outsourced workers in personnel rolls, warning that only legitimate federal employees captured on IPPIS or GIFMIS would be provided for. Unauthorized recruitment will attract sanctions.

Additional measures include a centralised Personnel Cost Monitoring Dashboard, quarterly arrears processing, and tighter controls in health and education sectors. MDAs must also submit third-quarter performance reviews by September 30, 2026, and certify the accuracy of all proposals.